Monday 10 May

Today is Monday the 10 May in the Sixth Week of Easter.

Molly Parden, with Bifrost Arts, sings a setting of Psalm 126.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 15:26-16:4

‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. ‘I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. ‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.

Jesus warns the disciples that a time will come when they will be persecuted, thrown out of places where they thought they were safe.   At what times in the past have I met opposition or criticism because I stood up for what was right?

At what times, on the other hand, did I perhaps compromise my principles, and fail to be really honest, really truthful? 

When things get difficult, we will remember what Jesus said.  So as you listen to the scripture passage again, just think of a time when you felt isolated or alone; a time perhaps when you were so caught up in your own feelings that you forgot the presence of God – or the special gift of God’s guiding Spirit. 

What do you feel now – now you know that God is present to you – and always has been?  Say what you feel – a word of sorrow, or trust, or thanks.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and every shall be, world without end. Amen.